My condolences. Getting old sucks. It seems we just get a handle on who we are and who and what we love, and then the game of cosmic Kerplunk begins and adored elements are withdrawn near and far. A favorite uncle. Record stores. An author. A childhood friend. Some beloved cereal. A father. Affordable ticket prices. Prince. Petty. Book stores. Reliably shitty government (replaced with absurdity). Friends. Family.
It tests the soul, and when we are blessed, inspires us to raise a middle finger to whatever or whomever is dealing these marked cards, throw down our creative bets, and keep playing.
Apr 30, 2023·edited Apr 30, 2023Liked by Brian Keene
So sorry, Brian. My brother died a few years ago and I've been trying to look at getting to be old as a privilege, but it still doesn't make losing friends and family any easier. Nor does it make getting old any easier, to be honest. Chris Ryan is right about Cosmic Kerplunk.
My sincere condolences to you.
Those kitties are a fantastic diversion. I want to call dibs on the little ginger one so badly.
lifts a glass (of coffee, its early) "to absent friends" My condolences on the loss of your friends. At the same time, my congratulations on the things you've found. Mary and the kittens sounds like a really cheezy band name, right?
Brian, deepest condolences on the physical loss of your friends Kooch and Miller but remember they live on in spirit and be comforted by the fact that maybe they were there for each other during their passings. Thank you for the update on Bocephus and her kittens...i really was worried about her...look forward to seeing cat dad stuff again. Finally, had Chris not had his accident in '87 that crippled him for life while in the Navy, I like to think that perhaps you would've met during that timeframe. Chris signed up for the Navy while in senior year of HS in '86 and left right after HS for Pensacola for basic training, then was eventually sent overseas to Wales UK to train as a Seabee electrician what he was doing at the time of this car accident. You both had the same interests at that time, books and music. Still glad you got to know him later in life though. Again, so sorry for the loss of your friends but I do believe life goes on and that they're watching over you, part of your soul group and that you'll see them again when you cross over and perhaps in yet another life to come!
I'm sorry to see this, Brian, my condolences. I've had a few Marines disappear over the years, as well, for various reasons. It's always a weird roller coaster. Glad to see you've experienced an attempted mugging in Italy. Next time I see you, I hope you remember to remind me to tell you about the hoard of pick pocket children in Rome and the Carbonari intervention.
Navy boot was like a kick in the brain culturally coming from small town OK especially when the white kid in the bunk next to you is a devout practicing Muslim who I would later learn he changed his faith after falling in love with his future wife well the romantic in me me somehow respect the hell out of that.
My condolences.
My condolences. Getting old sucks. It seems we just get a handle on who we are and who and what we love, and then the game of cosmic Kerplunk begins and adored elements are withdrawn near and far. A favorite uncle. Record stores. An author. A childhood friend. Some beloved cereal. A father. Affordable ticket prices. Prince. Petty. Book stores. Reliably shitty government (replaced with absurdity). Friends. Family.
It tests the soul, and when we are blessed, inspires us to raise a middle finger to whatever or whomever is dealing these marked cards, throw down our creative bets, and keep playing.
Sorry for your losses. Seems like you have had a lot of them in the time I've been subscribed to your newsletter.
But remember the sun always shines again after the rain.
So sorry, Brian. My brother died a few years ago and I've been trying to look at getting to be old as a privilege, but it still doesn't make losing friends and family any easier. Nor does it make getting old any easier, to be honest. Chris Ryan is right about Cosmic Kerplunk.
My sincere condolences to you.
Those kitties are a fantastic diversion. I want to call dibs on the little ginger one so badly.
lifts a glass (of coffee, its early) "to absent friends" My condolences on the loss of your friends. At the same time, my congratulations on the things you've found. Mary and the kittens sounds like a really cheezy band name, right?
That was an amazing and touching tribute to your dear friend. Thank you for sharing. So sorry for your losses.
So sad, life has so many twists and turns.
sorry for your loss, Brian
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your friends.
Btw, I am one of your readers from the UK. Apologies for only recently subscribing.
So sorry for your loss, my friend.
Brian, deepest condolences on the physical loss of your friends Kooch and Miller but remember they live on in spirit and be comforted by the fact that maybe they were there for each other during their passings. Thank you for the update on Bocephus and her kittens...i really was worried about her...look forward to seeing cat dad stuff again. Finally, had Chris not had his accident in '87 that crippled him for life while in the Navy, I like to think that perhaps you would've met during that timeframe. Chris signed up for the Navy while in senior year of HS in '86 and left right after HS for Pensacola for basic training, then was eventually sent overseas to Wales UK to train as a Seabee electrician what he was doing at the time of this car accident. You both had the same interests at that time, books and music. Still glad you got to know him later in life though. Again, so sorry for the loss of your friends but I do believe life goes on and that they're watching over you, part of your soul group and that you'll see them again when you cross over and perhaps in yet another life to come!
Thanks to you and your fellow sailors for your service. Condolences.
I'm sorry to see this, Brian, my condolences. I've had a few Marines disappear over the years, as well, for various reasons. It's always a weird roller coaster. Glad to see you've experienced an attempted mugging in Italy. Next time I see you, I hope you remember to remind me to tell you about the hoard of pick pocket children in Rome and the Carbonari intervention.
I'm so sorry about your mates, Brian. Lifelong friends are hard to come by and it fucking sucks when they're gone forever.
Navy boot was like a kick in the brain culturally coming from small town OK especially when the white kid in the bunk next to you is a devout practicing Muslim who I would later learn he changed his faith after falling in love with his future wife well the romantic in me me somehow respect the hell out of that.
fair winds and following seas to your brothers